Staff 'devastated' by wallaby killing

TWO more wallabies have been slaughtered in a horrifying attack at Brent Lodge Animal Park - the second incident in as many months.

One animal was found with its throat cut while all that remained of the other was limbs left scattered across the park in Hanwell, leaving staff in a state of shock.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which takes place four weeks after a wallaby was found decapitated at the same site. It is not yet known if the crimes are linked but police believe that humans are behind both attacks.

Jim Gregory, manager at the site, said the killing has left him dumbfounded: "It’s hard to put into words what its done to me. It’s just devastating. You think things can’t get any worse and then this happens.

"Something like this makes you question why you do a job like this. It makes you question everything. This is a place where families can come and now it just feels sullied."

The park has had to make dramatic improvements to its security. The two remaining wallabies are now locked up overnight and CCTV has been installed. There have also been added nighttime security patrols.

Mr Gregory said: "When I first came here over two years ago, the animals were spending sixteen hours a day locked in the sheds. We worked so hard on trying to change that but now we’re back to square one.

"When you protect things so vigorously it defeats the object of a having an animal park."

Carolyn Brown, chair of Hanwell Residents Association said: "It’s just shocking. I do not understand how anyone can do this or treat animals in this way. I simply do not understand the mentality. It’s beyond my comprehension.

"What’s important now is that people must work together as a community to help find whoever has done this, and to ensure that it never happens again."

Ealing Police believe that someone got into the park sometime last Wednesday (November 16) and killed the animals once inside. At the time of going to press, no-one had been arrested and enquiries were ongoing.

Acting Detective Inspector Steve Mayes said: "We are increasingly concerned regarding the incidents in the park. It is visited by many families and they will be upset about this second attack.

"These sorts of incidents are very unusual and we are determined to find the person or persons responsible. Our wildlife team are investigating. If you have any information in relation to this incident, please contact wildlife officer PC Sara Lowe at Ealing Police on 020 8721 7135.